LCM 500 –

Leakage
Current
Monitor

Presented by
www.doble.no
Michal Slodkiewicz
 Overview of presentation

• Motivation and background

• IEC 60099-5 available diagnostic methods

• Requirements

• LCM 500 unit and attached accessories

• Performing self-test of LCM 500 unit

• Preparation database of surge arrester

• Grounding of the LCM 500 unit

• Deployment of LCM 500 accessories during measurement on-side

• Risk assessment

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 Motivation and background

• The MOSA is a cheap and passive component, but protecting

crucial apparatus

• Overlooked despite of severe consequences if it fails

• MOSAs can age and fail due to a variety of reasons

• May offer inadequate over voltage protection, especially if

the rated voltage is selected to low.

• Diagnostic indicator: Resistive leakage current increases with

time  increasing risk of failure

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 Why test Metal Oxide Surge Arresters?

• Utilize the lifetime of the operating MOSAs.

• Prevent arrester failures by replacing aged arresters

before breakdown.

• Avoid disturbances and costly outages of the electric

power supply.

• Reduce the risk for damages to other equipment, for

instance transformer bushings.

• Increase the safety for the utility/maintenance staff.

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Mechanism for degradation of MOSA

• Sealing defects

• Discharging due to surface contamination

• Overloading

• Long term aging during normal service

• Internal partial discharges

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 Degradation of MOSA

• One consequence of the degradation of the MOSA is

an increase with time of the resistive component of
the continuous leakage current

• Increase in resistive leakage current will cause an

increase in power losses and hence increased
temperature in ZnO-blocks

• The resistive current may exceed a critical limit

where the accumulated energy in the ZnO-blocks
exceeds the energy capability of the arrester. The
arrester will then get thermally unstable and fail.

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 Degradation of MOSA

An arrester failure may appear in different ways:

• Arrester with porcelain housing may explode

• The arrester can be causing an earth fault due to internal

flashover

• Aged or overloaded arresters may have reduced protection

against overvoltages, i.e. it is not protecting the apparatus
it is supposed to protect.

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Requirements for surveyed surge arrester

1. Metal Oxide Surge Arrester - MOSA

2. Separate grounding wire

3. Insulated base for each arrester

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Requirements for surveyed surge arrester

Why use insulated base arresters and separate earth leads:

• Gives complete control of arrester current leading to the ground

• Allows an easy on-line in service condition assessment test of the

MOSA. Without insulated base you have to take the arrester out of
service for proper condition testing.

• If a surge counter is present, the clip-on should be placed above the

counter to avoid circulating currents from the counter ground loop.

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IEC 60099-5 Part 5 Selection
and Application Recommendation

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 IEC 60099-5:
Available diagnostic methods

Properties of on-site leakage current measurements:

A HV-DC test is
effective but off line
and complex

Method B2 is ranked
to be the best field
method for
evaluation of ageing
and deterioration of
MOSA.

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IEC 60099-5: Metal Oxide Surge Arresters

If the MOSA is energized by a pure sinusoidal voltage

(fundamental frequency only), the capacitive leakage
current will show a fundamental component I1c only,
while the resistive leakage current will show both a
fundamental component and a 3rd harmonic
component (I3r) due to its nonlinear properties.

The resistive components are said to be generated

by the arrester itself (due to the not linear current-
voltage characteristic) and can therefore be used as
a measure for the arrester condition.

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IEC 60099-5: Metal Oxide Surge Arresters

 If harmonics are present in the operating voltage, this will

generate a significant 3rd harmonic component in the capacitive
leakage current in the arrester.

 This capacitive 3rd harmonic component will be “added” to the

3rd harmonic component resistive component and create a
measuring error.

 The LCM 500 uses a compensation method where the capacitive

component generated by the operating voltage is eliminated.

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Typical Voltage - Current Characteristics

The resistive current

component:
 is typically 5-20% of the total
leakage current under normal
operating conditions

 is a sensitive indicator of
changes in the voltage-current
characteristic

 depends on the voltage and

temperature

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Equivalent Circuit of ZnO -Varistors

It

Ic
Ir
200-3000 µA
10-600A
U

Ir=It-Ic

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Leakage Current Measurements

Measurement of the total leakage current example:

I
Ir1=10 Ir2=20
Itot increases with only 1,5%
I1tot = 100,5
when the resistive vector is
I2total = 102 doubled
δ1
Ic1= 100 δ2 This small change in Itot is not
Ic2=100 measurable at a mA–meter

Φ
Usyst U

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Recalculation of leakage current

 By using arrester system data and measuring the ambient

temperature and operating voltage at the same time as the
condition monitoring is performed, it is possible to recalculate
the leakage current data to a common reference of:
20 °C and U/Ur=0.7

The resistive leakage current values will then be

approximately the same independent of the test conditions
by taking account of the ambient temperature and operating
voltage, measurements performed under different conditions can
be directly compared, and the measured values will be a reliable
indicator of the arrester condition.

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Temperature and
system voltage influence

Influence of ambient temperature and system voltage

on resistive leakage current.

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 LCM 500-Leakage Current Monitor

4 3 1 1. LCM500 unit
2. Current Probe
2
5 3. Field Probe
4. 12V DC cable
5. Field Rod adapter
6. Power supply cable
6 7
7. Antenna
8. Grounding cable
9. Current loop wire
9
11 10.USB A+B cabel
8 10
11.Field test cable

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LCM 500-Leakage Current Monitor

Optional Accessory

Field Probe Rod – delivered in separate transport

case. Rod is divided on 3 pieces for 1m each piece.

Cannot be used as a Hot Stick!

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 LCM 500 Front Panel

Self test Communication ports

Light diodes

Mains power
supply

External DC
power sypply

Power switch

Turning knob

“Select” button

Antenna input Four pushbuttons LCD display

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LCM 500 Self-test outputs

Self-test outputs - perform function test of internal system

 FIELD
Simulated field probe signal to be
connected by coaxial cable (type RG58)
V.TRSF
Simulated voltage transformer signal to
be connected to the voltage transformer
adapter (optional accessory)

 CURRENT
By connecting an electrical wire between
the two black connectors, a current loop
simulating total arrester leakage current
is created

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 LCM 500 Communication Ports

 USB, RS232, Ethernet

By connecting data cables to one of above ports, the instrument can
communicate with a PC using the enclosed Windows based data
management software LCMViewer.

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LCM 500 Wireless probes

1-Field probe FP500 (antenna):

Measures the capacitive current
from the electric field surrounding
1 the arrestor.

2-Clip-on current transformer CCT500:

Measures the total current in the
grounding cable of surge arrester.

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Performing self-test of LCM 500
Circuit diagram

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Performing self-test of LCM 500

Measurement System
Test
Leakage Current
Monitor Teast : verify system
LCM500 Simul. : generate test
signals

Meas Setup Dbase Test Test Simul. Main

Measurement System
Test

Connect arrester and

antenna test signals
to probe before start

Start Main

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Performing self-test of LCM 500

Measurement in
progress

Aquisition started
PLEASE WAIT!

>

LCM 500
LCM 500 Measurement System
Test Failed
Measurement System Test CONTACT
Succeeded MANUFACTURER
Measured:
Ir:205 +/- 8µA
Start Main It:332 +/- 5µA

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Performing self-test of LCM 500

TROUBLE SHOOTING:

- Be sure that all connections

between field test cable
“crocodile” clips are fasten
properly to Field Probe

- Observe that current loop is not in

vicinity or not around antenna

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Preparation of surge arrester in
LCMViewer

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Preparation of surge arrester in
LCMViewer

Define database of your

surge arrester and
transfer this to the LCM
500, use Add to LCM
Queue button. Software
automatically will move
you to Instrument tab.

If you don’t know the

rated voltage, the
software will recommend
a proper value based on
system voltage and
arrester type.

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Preparation of surge arrester in
LCMViewer

Use Send Data to LCM

button in order send
data to LCM 500
instrument.

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Getting connection
between PC and LCM500

Go to Instrument=>Setup, Log tab

1. Choose correct
ComPort for LCM 500
instrument.
2. Use Test button to
check status of your
connection in Log
area.

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Grounding of the LCM 500

The LCM 500 can be grounding in two ways:

1.In laboratory testing or during charging battery by using
the power supply cable. Power supply plug has to be
connected to the local earth.

2.During field measurements grounding cable has to be

connected to local earth system in the substation.

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Grounding of the LCM 500

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 Deployment of LCM 500 accessories

1
1. Gapless MOSA
2. Insulated base
3. Grounding wire
The Field Probe should
NEVER exceed this limit
4. Clip-on CT500
2
5. Counter

3 6. Field probe FP500

4 7. Arrester pedestal
5 8 9
7 8. Field Probe Rod
9. LCM 500 unit

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Deployment of LCM 500 accessories

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LCM 500 Set-up Mode From Main Menu

Leakage Current
Monitor
LCM500

Meas Setup Dbase Test

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LCM 500 Set-up Mode From Main Menu

Language: only English.

Leanguage : English <
Dump mode : OFF Dump mode: ”ON” is for use in
Time : 10:30:45 continuous measurements. The
Date : 2011.06.14 measurements will be dumped
Backlight : 40 continuously to the serial port. When
Baudrate : 57600 a PC with proper software is
Serial # : 205039 connected the measurements can be
Netw. Radio Main downloaded.

Time: battery backed real-time clock.

Backlight: time in sec. the light in the LCD display is turned on.
Baudrate: baudrate defines the data transfer speed during
communication with a PC and can be set to 9600 bit/sec. or 57600
bit/sec.

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LCM 500 Measuring mode

Leakage Current
Monitor
LCM500

Meas Setup Dbase Test

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LCM 500 Measuring mode

Station/Loc/Arrester:
No station chosen < By pressing the “MEAS” button in
No location chosen the main menu, the screen
No arresrer chosen presented on the left appears.
Installation # When database is transferred from
the software, you will get access to
it in this menu.
Run Auto Setup Main

If you press ”Setup” in the above menu, you will enter

the measuring set-up mode

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LCM 500 Measuring set-up mode

Station/Loc/Arrester:
No station chosen <
No location chosen
No arresrer chosen
Installation #

Run Auto Setup Main

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 LCM 500 Measuring set-up mode

Mode : 3-phase < Mode: In field test 3-phase mode should be

Temp : Auto 24 C set. 1-phase mode is for use in lab tests.
Line : Man 245 kV
Transf : 1:1000 Temp: Choose between manual or
automatically setting of the temperature.
Line: The line-to-line operating voltage.
Choose between manual or automatic. Manual
Meas Main setting is the most common. Automatic is for
connection to a PT combined with an adapter.

Transf: This ratio defines the voltage divider ratio of the voltage transformer
that can be connected for automatic voltage measurements. The ratio can be set
from 1:1 up to 1:10000 in steps.

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LCM 500 Auto measurement

Station/Loc/Arrester:
No station chosen <
No location chosen
No arresrer chosen
Installation #

Run Auto Setup Main

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LCM 500 Auto measurement

Auto measurement STA A1 PH R

Start :2011.02.10 <
16:11:25 Ir corr. 198µA ±5µA
Interval : 00:00:15 It : 567 µA Ir:172µA
90005 24 C 68kV
STA A1 PH R AUTO, next measurement
2011.02.10 16:11:40
Abort Run Main Abort

Function allows performe long-term monitoring of an surge arrester.

The time and date for the first measurements can be set than
by press button ”Run” subseqent measurements will begin.

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LCM 500 Perform a Measurement

Station/Loc/Arrester:
No station chosen <
No location chosen
No arresrer chosen
Installation #

Run Auto Setup Main

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LCM 500 Perform a Measurement

If the measurement runs ok, the measuring result will be shown in

the LCD display like the example below.

90005 Ircorr-total corrected resistive leakage

STA A1 PH R current with standard deviation
(corrected value with regard to ambient
Ir corr: 159µA temperature and line voltage).
Ant. 3rd harm. : 0.8%
It: 587 µA Ir: 89 µA It-total leakage current
24 C 68 kV
Run Store New Main Ir-total uncorrected resistive leakage
current.

In addition the ambient temperature and the line voltage used

during the measurement are displayed.

To save your measurement, press the ” Store” button

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Download the measurements

Go to Instrument=>Measurement from Instrument tab

1. Click the Read
Measurements from
LCM to make the
transfer take place
2. Mark your Surge
Arrester than use
Apply Measurements
(Auto only), all
performed
measurement will be
add to existing Surge
Arrester data.

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Structure and data analysis

Leakage Current Plot

The LCMViewer lets you
create a graphical statistical
presentation of your Surge
Arrester measurements.
Easy way to compare
measurements for groups
of arressters.

Test Conditions
You can observe factor of
temperature, voltage and
containing of 3th harmonic
from taken measurements.

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Structure and data analysis

Arrester Test Reports

• LCMViewer will generate
an arrester report in
either Excel or pdf files.
• You can select content of
information to be included
in the report.
• You can use your company
logo.

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 Doble LCM - Your best choice!

 You should choose:

 A simple in-service method
 Doble LCM – takes less then 5 minutes per
arrester, in service
 Reliability method verified by independent
sources
 LCM method recommended by arrester IEC
standard
 Convincing references
 Developed together with ABB!
 Now in Siemens surge arrester monitoring catalog!

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Risk Assessment

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Evaluation of the Arrester Condition

Based on the level and development of resistive leakage current

Ir over time:
• Trend analyses
 In general look for increasing trend
 Perform a baseline reading when the arrester is new. If Ir increases by 3-
4 times(typically), it is indicating severe aging
• Compare the value to maximum recommended leakage current values
given by arrester manufacturers
 ABB and Siemens provide max values
 Compare Ir to arresters of same design and type
 The three phases in a line or bay
 All similar arresters in the grid
• Test interval
 In beginning – once a year to get knowledge about trend.
 Later on – each 3-5 year
 It depends on age of the arresters, the regional lightning activity, the
situation of overvoltages, quality of the apparatus etc.

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Eliminating possible sources of error

Some steps to consider in the final evaluation:

1. If total current It and resistive current Ir are unrealistically high:

• Check if the arrester base and the arrester grounding is in

order. Circulating currents??

2. If Ir is higher than expected:

• Temporary heating of the ZnO-blocks inside?? Consider to re-

test in approximately 1 day to confirm the value.
• If surge counter is present: is the clip-on CT connected above
it?

3. If high reading is stable and confirmed, consider monitoring

continuously or proceed with step 4.

4. Contact the arrester manufacturer and consider replacing

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 Leakage current trend
Excample
• Three different
arresters with almost
the same leakage
200 %
current
•Which of them is the
150 % most dangerous?

100 %

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Years with measurements

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 Leakage current trend
Excample
• The same three
arresters as above,
with measurements
200 %
over 8 years.
•Which of them is
150 % most dangerous?
•The yellow has
100 %
increased its leakage
current from ~85% to
95% in 8 years
•The red one from
65% to 100% in 8
years
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 •The blue from 25% to
Years with measurements
95% the last 3 years!

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